Fire extinguisher



Oct. 22, 1940. y A. E. TOMKIN 2,219,096

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Sept. 17-, 1938 14 21 lolvl Patented Oct. 22, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to protective enclosure means for the cartridge and cartridge discharge mechanism of stored pressure fire extinguishers.

In connection with the type of fire extinguishers 5 to which the present invention relates, the liquidexpelling gas cartridge (usually of ferrous metal) is immersed in the liquid which is usually water with or without a soluble freezing point depressant (anti-freeze) the external surface rapidly corrodes because of electrolytic or other detrimental action. Then too, above the liquid level, the cartridge discharge mechanism is exposed to moisture and condensate. Attempts have been made to remedy these conditions as by providing metallic protective coatings and organic protective coatings such as paint and enamel, seeking to make the cartridge and cartridge discharge mechanism corrosion resistant, but they have not been successful to an extent insuring the certainty of action exacted of and necessary in the operation of a fire extinguisher. The present invention aims generally to overcome these various objections.

It is especially aimed to provide for retention 25 of the cartridge without danger of modification of its weight, as the latter is usually a factor in the inspection of the cartridge in actual service.

Another important object in view, is to produce the invention of such nature that it well adapts itself for manufacture as'an attachment for fire extinguishers now in service as well as for manufacture into the fire extinguishers initially.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating operative exemplary embodiments.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, central vertical sectional View through a fire extinguisher equipped with my improvements as an attachment;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane of line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, inverted, central sectional view showing the valves open for discharge; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partly in central vertical section of a modified form, showing my improvements built initially onto a closure.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views,

and first to the form of Figs. 1 to 4, ll) designates a receptacle adapted to contain a liquid, usually water I l with or without a soluble freezing point depressant (anti-freeze) which is adapted to be discharged under pressure through an outlet hose or tube I2. The pressure is produced on inversion of the fire extinguisher by liberation of compressed gas contained in a cartridge l3 suspended by a suitable means M from a closure or cap 55 screw threaded or otherwise fastened to the neck Hiof container It at ll. The cartridge is adapted to be punctured by any suitable means usually enclosed in the means it and operable automatically or by impact upon a head [8 upon inversion of the fire extinguisher, the gas escaping through ports IS in said means l4 into the interior of receptacle it] to expel the liquid Ii through hose I 2. The parts described are of usual and standard construction and have been illustrated and described so that the principles of my invention may be better explained. Said cartridge 13 is usually of ferrous metal and is normally submerged partly in the liquid 5 l, rapidly corroding and changing weight whereby after a short period of time the cartridge is unreliable, and cannot even be accurately tested because the corrosion itself changes the weight. The weight is the prime factor in the inspection of the cartridge from time to time. i

In carrying out the invention, a hollow tubular body surrounds the cartridge-supporting and discharge means I4, being flared at 2| at the upper end to form a flange or gasket removably disposed between the closure 5 5 and neck it, preferably with rubber or equivalent gaskets 22 disposed on opposite sides thereof so that an hermetic joint may be provided. Said flared portion 2| leads from a lateral Wall 23, below which body 20 tapers inwardly and terminates in a screw threaded ferrule 24.

Said wall 23 has any desired number of gas outlet ports 25 therein which are normally closed by valves 26 pivoted as at 21 to wall 23. Said valves normally close the ports hermetically, aided by rubber or other gaskets if desired and they are of such weight that they will open by gravity as shown in Fig. 4 to release the gas into the receptacle Ill after puncturing the cartridge l3 and issue of the gas through ports l9. Said body 20, valves 26 and their pivotal mounting means are 0 made of a metal or means which is resistant to the liquid, to moisture from the liquid II, or of any chemical added thereto and for instance may be of brass, synthetic resin, etc.

Augmenting the body 20 in completely enclosing the cartridge l3 and its mounting and rupturing means I4 is a tube 28 closed at one end and having screw threads 29 at the other end detachably engaging those of the ferrule 24, preferably with a rubber or equivalent washer 30 interposed. Tube 28 is also of a material resistant to the liquid II, to moisture from the liquid II, or of any chemical added thereto and for instance may be of glass, brass, synthetic resin, etc.

It will be realized that the invention provides a means which will protect the cartridge against corrosion, deterioration, impairment of its weight and the like to the maximum extent. In addition, the tube 28 may contain an anhydrous salt 3|, which may be calcium chloride, for example, held in place by a brass or equivalent screen 32, when the extinguisher is tilted or inverted for operation or inspection. The salt 3| will maintain a low moisture atmosphere within the enclosing or protective parts.

The form of the invention described is in the nature of an attachment to existing fire extinguishers and may be readily applied thereto. At the same time, the invention is not so limited since the invention may be built into the fire extinguisher initially as part of one of the main sections or elements thereof and. for instance the cap or closure as shown in Fig. 5. In such figure, the cap or closure is designated l5 and is screwed to a neck H5 at H as in the preceding form, with a gasket 22 of rubber interposed. Integral with and depending from the closure 15' is a body 20' identical in construction and function with the body 20 except that instead of the flared portion 2|, a tubular portion 2| is formed integrally with the closure I5 and is also an integral part of body 20. This form of the invention is identical with the first form with the exception that the body is'integral with the closure rather than being in the nature of an attachment.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fire extinguisher adapted to contain liquid, a gas-containing cartridge therein and mechanism operable to release the gas from the cartridge to apply discharging pressure to the liquid; means within the extinguisher enclosing and protecting the cartridge from detrimental action of the contents, said means including a normally closed valve constructed and arranged to open through tilting of the extinguisher.

2. In a fire extinguisher adapted to contain liquid, a gas-containing cartridge therein and mechanism operable to release the gas from the cartridge to apply discharging pressure to the liquid; means within the extinguisher enclosing and protecting the cartridge and said mechanism from detrimental action of the contents comprising a hollow body depending into the fire extinguisher, said body having a lateral wall provided with gas-discharge ports, valves constructed and arranged to normally close said ports and to open upon tilting of the fire extinguisher, said body below said wall extending inwardly and downwardly and to a threaded ferrule, a tube forming part of said body separably threaded to said ferrule.

3. In a fire extinguisher adapted to contain liquid, a closure for said extinguisher, a gascontaining cartridge depending from the closure into the extinguisher and mechanism operable to release the gas from the cartridge to apply discharging pressure to the liquid; means within the extinguisher separate from said closure enclosing and protecting the cartridge and said mechanism, said means having an outwardly flanged upper end clamped in place between the fire extinguisher and closure, and a normally closed valve mounted by said means constructed and arranged to open through tilting of the extinguisher.

4. In a fire extinguisher according to claim 1, said means also including a hollow body depending into the extinguisher, said body having an attaching ferrule, and said body including a tube separably connected to said ferrule.

5. In a fire extinguisher according to claim 1, said means also including a hollow body depending into the extinguisher, said body having an attaching ferrule at the lower end, said body including a tube separably connected to said ferrule, an inwardly extending wall on the body above the ferrule mounting said valve, and means extending from said wall for attachment to the extinguisher.

6. In a fire extinguisher according to claim 1,

said means also including a hollow body depending into the extinguisher, an outwardly extending wall, said body having a gas-discharge port with which the valve coacts, and said wall being in the path of opening of the valve to limit the extent of its opening.

7. A device of the class described comprising a hollow body having a. depending tube adapted to surround and protect a cartridge within a fire extinguisher, said body having a laterally and inwardly extending wall above the tube, normally closed valve means mounted by said wall, said valve means being constructed and arranged to open upon tilting of the body, and a wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the laterally extending wall adapted for attachment to' guisher, and an upwardly and outwardly extending flange on said wall adapted for clamping marginally between parts of the fire extinguisher.

9. A device of the class described comprising a hollow body having a screw-threaded ferrule at its lower end, a tube screw-threaded to said ferrule adapted to surround and protect a cartridge within a fire extinguisher, said body having an inwardly extending wall above the tube, normally closed valve means on said wall constructed and arranged to operate upon tilting of the body, and a wall flaring upwardly and outwardly from the first mentioned wall adapted for clamping at its margin between parts of the fire extinguisher.

ABRAHAM E. TOEMICIIN. 

